5 FEB 2023 · A few years ago, Xzavier Hill was 18 years old and killed by the Virginia State Police. Xzavier was his heartbroken mom’s only child. A devastated and angry aunt turned this family tragedy into an opportunity for social advocacy. She is known as Auntie Advocate and her nonprofit bears the same name. A loving auntie and mother; a woman of faith and optimism; Auntie Advocate tells her story on this week’s episode of Narrativity. Say his name: #XzavierHill

28 JAN 2023 · Violence is a public health concern. It is an epidemic. I know its tempting to just turn off the TV; close the page on your phone; unsubscribe to the news outlet; and think its happening over there to those people. But, looking the other way is not an option. Refraining from talking about it does not mean it does not exist. refusing to read about one more person killed does not make it go away. There is nothing pleasant when a mother hears the unthinkable about her child. And, when she does, she should not bear the burden alone. The problem is society's problem. Every child belongs to all of us. Rebecca Wilson shares her heartbreaking story about the day she got the call. It rocked her world. She felt alone in disbelief when the world stopped. Her precious 18 year old son - a good guy - was shot to death. Say his name: #MauriceWilson We must pray but not simply pray. We just do something to save our children; to save our communities; to save our nation; to preserve the world! #awakensociety #risetothecall

21 JAN 2023 · Do you know anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one to murder? What about 3 or more family members? Rev. T. Sheri loss 4 family members to violence! Violence is truly an epidemic. Rev. T. Sheri shares her story with Dr. Antipas. She explains what happened and how she is coping. Rev. T Sheri also gives her perspective on the death penalty. The story is personal, sobering and heartbreaking. How can human beings kill other human beings? There is so much resulting hurt and grief in our communities. Rev. T. Sheri is an important voice in this generation. Thank you Rev. T. Sheri for sharing your story!

13 JUN 2022 · Richard "Rick" James hails from Norfolk, VA. He joined the US Army at 17 years old. He did not know it then. But, enlisting in the army sparked within him a passion for service. He has served from the battlefields to the jailhouse. After military service Rick became a police officer. Retirement did not stop him. Rick is now an attorney. He works with the NAACP, speaking up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Importantly, Rick has partnered with the Sheriff's office to start a learning center at the Norfolk Jails. He is helping inmates achieve education that equips them for a better life upon re-entry. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the important work that Rick is doing and how you might get involved.

23 MAY 2022 · Jordan Brown shares his journey from being a pastor's kid to becoming a pastor himself. Pastor Jordan has a heart to heart with Dr. Antipas about his struggle with the call, his struggle with pride and his season of homelessness. Jordan chronicles his journey to accepting the call of God on his life. He now lives with a sense of fulfillment.

16 MAY 2022 · Anai shares some of her complex story on Narrativity. She shares the stumbling blocks and the lessons she has learned over the years. She had a terrible car accident and miraculously recovered. Anai is passionate about racial and gender issues. She is also invested in matters of spirituality. Anai shares how spirituality and the fight for social justice must include multi-racial, multi-generational, multi-cultural are crucial in the struggle toward a new and more equal world. She shares her perspective on spirituality that includes scripture and astrology as non-competing spiritual resources. She believes that when we are more open to God’s world, we experience more spiritual insight for guidance in our everyday life.

9 MAY 2022 · Marquita Bianca is a fashion editor, dancer, dance instructor, and Founder and CEO of Baila Fuzion Dance & Creative Arts Center in Virginia Beach. She shares her story of how her first experience of dance class at 21 years old shifted her career trajectory. The moral of the story is that each person has a calling, a passion, a beating drum. When we discover it and follow accordingly, we find joy. The world responds to our passion! Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

30 APR 2022 · Billy was one of the residents at the Norfolk Housing Center for people who do not have homes. The Urban Renewal Center operated the City of Norfolk's 24-hour low-barrier shelter. Billy shares his story from homelessness to upward mobility. It is a story of struggles and victories. He offers wisdom from his experience. We are so proud of Billy. His story is deeply moving. The URC is grateful to have shared part of his journey toward what Billy calls "The Big Move." (** Note that the name is fictitious but the story is real).

23 APR 2022 · Two of the first African American students at Old Dominion University! It was 1962; Winston and Eunice Whitehurst were young and in love. The 90 year old Dr. Winston and 80 year old Eunice take us down memory lane. In 1962, they were young, dating college students at Norfolk State University who needed a course in Spanish not, at the time they needed it, offered at NSU. So they enrolled at ODU at a time when it was not socially commonplace. For the first time, Winston and Eunice share their experience in a public forum. This peek into Norfolk’s history is not only interesting but helps us see how far we have come as a society. At the end of this episode, the Whitehursts share their concern that blacks take advantage of their pioneering work having been the “first” on a few occasions in their lives. With some persisting challenges, few compare to their struggles as young people eager to learn with the audacity to risk social norms to succeed! #awakensociety #education #ODU #inspiration #risetothecall

17 APR 2022 · Keeya Vawar tells her story. She was a victim of human trafficking. The glitz and glamor of the music industry lured her at a time of vulnerability. She was 16 years old with an abusive father. She was on a search for "another life." Too young and too scared to make responsible decisions, a music executive and musicians offered Keeya the world with music videos, money, a place to live and more. Soon Keeya was a slave to the industry. From one situation to the next, Keeya finally cried out for help. She got the help she needed and now she lives to tell her story. Listen to the podcast to learn the details and how Keeya found her way out!